Investigation of the effects of nebivolol on the viability of rat dorsal skin flap in the D-galactose aging model

Investigation of the Effects of Nebivolol on the Viability of Rat Dorsal Skin Flap in the D-Galactose Aging Model Aim: Skin aging and reversal of the effects of aging have always been of interest in studies for a long time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of D-Galactose and Nebivolol alone and in combination on the circulation of rat dorsal skin flaps. Material and Method: Thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups of eight rats per group. Two randomly selected groups were given D-Galactose and the other two groups were given saline solution for seven weeks. At the 7th and 8th week of the experiment, blood was collected from all animals for oxidative status and antioxidant capacity. Nebivolol was given to the reversal and treatment groups from week 7 to week 9. In the eighth week, a modified McFarlane flap was removed from the back of all animals and indocyanine green imaging was performed. At the ninth week, flap necrosis rate was determined and punch biopsy was taken from the necrosis border. Student's t and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the results. Results: The necrosis rates of the aging (22.3%), reversal (22.7%) and treatment (20.6%) groups were statistically lower than the control group (32.5%). Histologic aging findings were higher in the D-Galactose treated groups compared to the control and treatment groups. In the same groups, eNOS and Caspase 3 levels were found to be higher than the control and treatment groups, while VEGF and TGFβ1 levels were found to be lower. SOD value at week 8 was higher in the treatment group compared to the other groups. No statistical difference was found between the groups in biochemical analyzes in terms of other parameters. Conclusion: D-Galactose decreased necrosis rates although it revealed signs of skin aging in the groups to which it was administered. In the treatment group, nebivolol reduced necrosis rates by acting through antioxidant mechanisms. The lower necrosis rates in the aging and reversal groups suggest that D-Galactose may have created ischemic preconditioning and should be used for longer periods and at higher doses for flap studies in the elderly. Keywords: Skin aging, D-Galactose, skin flap circulation in aging, oxidative stress This study was funded by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa. Project number: 37264